Wednesday, January 17, 2018

(Bologna) When trainee
lawyer Asmae Belfakir turned up for court with her head covered, the Judge Giancarlo
Mozzarelli asked her to either to remove her hijab or leave the courtroom.
Belkafir, chose to leave. A note pinned
up outside the room said "anyone who takes part in or attends the hearing
cannot carry weapons or sticks and must have an uncovered head and keep
silent." Naturally the usual suspects have got their knickers in a
twist over this, despite the law being very clear on the matter which states at
Article 129 of the code of civil procedure which lays down that those who take
part in hearings must have their heads uncovered".

The leftwing Free and Equal (LeU) party urged the
judiciary's self-governing body, the Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM), to
overrule the judge, saying "freedom to express one's religion should be
upheld" and the Bologna Islamic
community saying "it is urgent that the competent authorities clear up
this case".Community coordinator Yassine Lafram said "there are no
laws banning the veil in a courtroom" and said the judge had voiced an
"arbitrary position".